New ideas or concepts enlarge the individual’s brain; solutions to ‘increasingly complex’ problems are best derived in variegated groups; recombinant ideation surpasses single-disciplinary perspective. In sum: ‘Diversity is the hidden engine of humanity’ (p. 248). Case studies seemingly prove the point – but also seem cherry-picked from the morass of popular culture and social science. How does diversity address the highest goods? If humanity best resolves its affairs collectively, shouldn’t it seek to apply its predecessors’ wisdom instead of treating every set of circumstances as unique or unprecedented? The author’s assessment of leadership is also suspect: commitment to sharing is not guarantee of final performance, and accountability is muddled.
Also of interest:
• Averages used well will harness insights for multiples, used badly will saddle the same multiples with limited scope
• in light of evidence that societies which didn’t restrict its citizenry often outperformed those which, the coda addressing the UK’s Covid 19 regime seems rushed poorly chosen
• ¿Cultural differences are biological not genetic?